Urban Ousted?: 32nd and Urban gallery closes up shop

Bridgeport’s 32nd & Urban Art Gallery is closing and, according to the gallery, the new police station that opened across the street is partly to blame, causing what gallery co-owner Lauren Pacheco terms a “gentle force out.” “Our occupancy is fifty but we often attract 100 to 150 people, so it’s pretty inevitable for us to feel a backlash,” explains Lauren. “The police frequently drive by and walk through the gallery, pretending to be interested in the art but really just scoping out the crowd.” While 32nd & Urban has never been shut down, raided or the scene of any fights, Pacheco sees the police arrival as their cue to go. “I don’t want the art community that comes out to be harassed by police,” she says. “With the way people dress nowadays and the type of crowd…we just see it as being problematic.” While closing the gallery, 32nd & Urban, the brand, will remain very much here and very much alive. “My partner Peter Kepha and I want to take the concept of phantom gallery a step further,” shares Pacheco. “We plan to set up exhibitions in alternative galleries and struggling art spaces all over the city.” A.Okay and Montana Gallery have already approached 32nd & Urban for such projects. Urban is also working on transforming itself into a non-profit, which will allow them to expand even more. “I assure you, we are not going anywhere,” says Pacheco. The Chicago Police Department did not respond to inquiries as of press time. (Meaghan Strickland)